[Computerbase] Early GTX980Ti Roundup

[RussianSensation]

Temperatures, noise levels with video recordings, power usage and overclocked performance all compared:

http://www.computerbase.de/2015-06/geforce-gtx-980-ti-custom-test-partnerkarten-vergleich/4/

Surprisingly EVGA has done a great job this time beating Gigabyte on noise levels. Too bad we do not have Inno3D cards in North America. In terms of noise levels and temps, that card walks over the other air cooled 980Tis.

EVGA GTX 980 Ti SC+ ACX 2

Gigabyte GTX 980 Ti G1 Gaming

Inno3D GTX 980 Ti iChill X3 AirBoss

That's not the full story since Gigabyte has set a very aggressive fan profile. As a result, the BIOS is targeting low temperatures at the expense of noise levels. If one is willing to set up a custom fan curve, the Gigabyte G1 could be a great option.

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/GTX_980_Ti_G1_Gaming/34.html

 

[tviceman]

Since most open-air 980 TI's will hit 1400+ mhz (and probably hitting 1500 in a not-too-uncommon scenario), vram overclocking is important. EVGA looks to be coming up short, which IMO is a fairly common theme with EVGA products. For being the premier Nvidia-exclusive brand, I think they fall flat in many regards when compared to the likes of the MSI gaming and Gigabyte G1 cards. At least this time around their cards are much more quieter than their past ACX versions.

 

[tviceman]

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/EVGA/GTX_980_Ti_SC_Plus/

Considerably more efficient than the Gigabyte G1, and way quieter without the need of a custom fan profile.

 

[Mako88]

The Inno is a true beast. Ugly as hell, but in multiple tests now it demolishes the G1.

I prefer the EVGA ACX cards for various reasons, but the G1 or ACX is splitting hairs as both are excellent.

 

[alcoholbob]

ACX is probably the best cooler for SLI out of the lineup since its the slimmest cooler meaning the top card has more breathing room.

 

[digitaldurandal]

Since most open-air 980 TI's will hit 1400+ mhz (and probably hitting 1500 in a not-too-uncommon scenario), vram overclocking is important. EVGA looks to be coming up short, which IMO is a fairly common theme with EVGA products. For being the premier Nvidia-exclusive brand, I think they fall flat in many regards when compared to the likes of the MSI gaming and Gigabyte G1 cards. At least this time around their cards are much more quieter than their past ACX versions.

However, EVGA warranty and support > Gigabyte. A few frames are not worth a potentially huge headache. I want to see what the classified version OCs to.

 

[psychok9]

Guys, I would like to buy an Inno3D 980 TI X4 Ultra ecc It seems very strong on cooling but I don't know the quality of the product. Can you advise me?
I buy new product every ~3 years~
Thank you.

 

[andrx47]

What are your guys thoughts on putting one of these 980 ti's in an ITX case (NCASE M1 more specifically). Blower coolers seem optimal for this, but what are your guys thoughts?

 

[Subyman]

Blower or AIO (if it can be worked in there, and exhausting out) for an ITX build. You'll already have the CPU exhausting into the case most likely. Having another 250W being dissipated in the small case will likely raise your temps quite high especially after a long gaming session. If you can work an AIO in there, that would be the best solution IMO.

 

[andrx47]

Thanks for the reply Subyman. I would love an AIO solution, but it would push my budget to the limit. Noise and temps will be higher with a blower, but it will save me around $150. I will probably go with a blower card as you suggested. Thanks again.

EDIT: I should also mention that I plan on water cooling my CPU. Would it be wiser to get an AIO solution for the GPU, then leave the CPU on stock cooling? That would at least offset some of the cost.

 

[rchunter]

I've got a fractal design R5 with kraken x61 cpu cooler. I just bought a EVGA 980ti SC+ ACX 2 with back plate. Pretty lucky to get one too. I think these are going like hot cakes now that the Fury X AMD news is kind of disappointing to a lot of people. Newegg and amazon are both out of stock. I had to buy it from evga store in order to get one.

EDIT: I have a gtx 770 ACX in my case now and the temps are fine. Never usually get above 65C at full load. I'm sure my new 980ti ACX 2.0 will be fine too. I was really close to buying a reference cooler model but ultimately decided not to.

 

[Subyman]

Thanks for the reply Subyman. I would love an AIO solution, but it would push my budget to the limit. Noise and temps will be higher with a blower, but it will save me around $150. I will probably go with a blower card as you suggested. Thanks again.

EDIT: I should also mention that I plan on water cooling my CPU. Would it be wiser to get an AIO solution for the GPU, then leave the CPU on stock cooling? That would at least offset some of the cost.

I'd water cool the GPU. It is more effective. CPU is roughly 80W, while the GPU is 250W. Let the 80W dump into the case and pump the 250W out via AIO or just do the blower. If this is mainly a gaming rig, I think you will get more performance out of it by OCing the 980TI to ~1400Mhz. If you are going to be running stock on both then its really up to you, but GPU blowers are usually louder than a low profile CPU cooler.

 

[Freddy1765]

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/EVGA/GTX_980_Ti_SC_Plus/

Considerably more efficient than the Gigabyte G1, and way quieter without the need of a custom fan profile.

Having to set up a custom fan-profile is a non-issue. No one in their right mind will choose one card over another because of that, so let's not use it as an argument for/against.

About the EVGA coolers though; haven't they had a lot of issues with coil whine? Never owned one of their cards myself, but I do believe I've read many complaints in the past.

 

[boozzer]

hey rs, what is the best 980 ti right now? I need a target to do research on so I can compare it to the fury x.

 

[SolMiester]

EVGA Hybrid?

 

[boozzer]

I guess I should have specified, air cooled version.

 

[tviceman]

hey rs, what is the best 980 ti right now? I need a target to do research on so I can compare it to the fury x.

Absolute fastest is probably the Gigabyte G1 gaming. However, the EVGA SC+ is only slightly smaller but much quieter out of the box. Also, the MSI gaming (many of which consider to be the best series of open-air cooled cards) was just released but there are no reviews live yet. And then there is Zotac's triple fan cooler. There are so many to choose from that are just now getting released but haven't been reviewed yet.

 

[Lepton87]

I just bought Gigabyte G1 and I can still return it, are there any better cards out there? I want to watercool the card so stock cooling is not important what's important is how well the card overclocks and the availability of water blocks. Is there any card that beats Gigabyte G1 in those metrics?
ps. that 35% increase in performance after OC is just amazing, it is like going from a stock 980 to a stock 980Ti

 

[Zanovar]

Although not in the roundup the msi gaming would be the ti card i would go for.I will be buying a new card around christmas time(building a rig for my nephew with my 290 going in it)and its the msi card i have my eye on so far.

 

[Unoid]

The HOF and the Classified looks like the cards to get.

 

[RussianSensation]

Although not in the roundup the msi gaming would be the ti card i would go for.I will be buying a new card around christmas time(building a rig for my nephew with my 290 going in it)and its the msi card i have my eye on so far.

That's one of the caveats for early adopters - there is very little data available on newer cards and not all the best 980Tis have come out. As of now I wouldn't even recommend the Gigabyte G1 Gaming anymore now that MSI Gaming and EVGA Classified have come out for very similar prices.

Gigabyte spent almost no $ improving the PCB, Mosfets and VRM circuitry, and the end result is a lot of people are complaining of coil whine on the G1.

Reference 980Ti

Gigabyte G1 Gaming 980Ti PCB

On the positive side, like the Asus Strix, the VRMs are directly in contact with the main heatsink. Good job Gigabyte.

MSI 980Ti Gaming 6

Asus Strix 980Ti

Asus looks to have went all out on their Strix which is more akin to their Matrix cards, rather than the traditional Strix PCB. They are also using 12+2-phase Super Alloy Power II.

But they did make a mistake on the cooler though as 2 of the 5 pipes aren't in contact with the GPU die at all. The advantage here is the heatsink directly touches the VRMs unlike the MSI Gaming 6 where the main heatsink is not in touch with the VRMs.

 

[RussianSensation]

EVGA Classified 980Ti ACX2.0+

This card seems to combine all of the best qualities of the ACX 2.0+, MSI Gaming 6 and Asus Strix by having fans turn off at idle up to 60C but still having top-of-the-line power circuitry, GPU cooler and top-notch customer service (Asus is basically DOA in this regard in North America). It also has double-ball bearing fans for longer lasting lifetime, something MSI, Asus and Gigabyte don't seem to have.

I think Gigabyte is out to lunch charging $680-690 for their G1 when Classified if $700. EVGA has a far superior PCB, components and customer service and the warranty starts from the date of purchase not from the date the card leaves the warehouse (Gigabyte).

Will be interesting to see a round-up that includes the Classified, Asus Strix and the Galax HOF card, as well as the MSI Lightning which might beat them all.

 

[Majcric]

It's kind of surprising to see the Classified coming in with a small price premium over reference models. Typical I thought the classifieds are usually 100-150 more. Now I wonder where the Lightening will land.

 

[utahraptor]

Will be interesting to see a round-up that includes the Classified, Asus Strix and the Galax HOF card, as well as the MSI Lightning which might beat them all.

I found this questionable leak on the lightning: http://www.game-debate.com/gpu/inde...ion-vs-geforce-gtx-970-msi-gaming-4gb-edition

The take away is:

Overclock: Central Unit
The Central Unit now runs at 1217MHz, instead of 1000MHz and goes up to 1342MHz, in Turbo Mode.

Overclock: Memory Clock
The Operating Memory Clock is now of 1800MHz while the Frame Buffer remain the same.

I really want to replace my 680 GTX Lightning with this one.

 

[RaistlinZ]

Guru3D has a review of the ASUS Strix 980 Ti. It's a quiet card but unfortunately runs hot under load (80 C).